Cooling tower



NOV. 10, 1936. J p. BARRY 2,060,275

QOOL ING TOWER Filed March 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 LL 1,3 Z0 44 154 20 i3 MUN/NIH! 1W 4 m H/ W INVENTOR, BY j K1 v ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 10, 1936. J. P. BARRY 2,060,275

COOLING TOWER Filed March 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J 13 5 Z2 2 Z5 INVENTORT Z0 BY Ja 73 Gang Zg Z4 73v2Fv 7iywvli? I ATTORNEYS. Z3 E9. 7.

Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFTQE COOLING TOWER Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application March 18, 1935, Serial No. 11,659

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to cooling towers of the atmospheric or natural circulation type. In structures of this character, hot water is introduced at the top of the tower and is allowed to trickle down over and between diffusing baffles.

During its descent, the finely divided water is exposed to, and cooled by, natural horizontal currents of air, means being provided around the outside of the tower to prevent strong winds from blowing the water away.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of air baffles in the form of a grid surrounding the tower which will interpose the least possible resistance to the free movement of air horizontally through the tower, and yet at the same time will prevent the outgoing air from carrying with it any appreciable quantity of suspended water. This object is achieved broadly by the use of spaced slats of a peculiar form to be described hereinafter, whereby the outgoing air leaving the tower is caused to follow tortuous paths without having its progress impeded by the setting up of eddy currents. The absence of eddies minimizes re sistance to the free flow of the air, while the changes in direction caused by following the tortuous paths separate the suspended water from it. Means are also provided to prevent loss of water by direct splashing through the interstices of the air baffling grid.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of diffusing baflles for the falling water in the interior of the tower, which will interpose as little resistance as possible to the ascending movement of air through said interior. So far as I am aware, cooling towers have been heretofore divided into two general types: the atmospheric type in which the water drips down through and between a series of spaced decks having comparatively small apertures for the passage of the water, which decks effectively prevent vertical movement of air within the tower; and the non-atmospheric type in which the outside of the tower is enclosed and a vertical forced draft of air is induced through its interior. In the present construction, I combine the advantages of both types by providing for the free movement of air both horizontally and vertically through the tower; the horizontal air movement being induced as usual by winds, and the vertical movement being induced by the warming of the air as it absorbs heat from the water and also by the fact that moist air is lighter than dry air and therefore tends to rise. By this means, a vertical current of air is main tained through the tower even in times of no wind, and the tower is thereby enabled to function more efficiently under all weather conditions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description which should be read with the understanding that the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts may be varied within the limits of the claims hereto appended without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the tower.

Fig. 2 is a partly broken side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, enlarged, of a portion of the air baiiling grid surrounding the tower.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion of the water diffusing bafiie arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a part sectional end elevation of the same, taken on the line 8-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged horizontal section of one of the stream lined air baffles shown in Fig. 3.

The general construction of my tower, as to size, shape and framing, follows conventional practice. It is constructed preferably of wood. Its frame comprises vertical posts II and horizontal stringers I2. In the upper portion of the tower is a longitudinally disposed manifold l3 to which the hot water is supplied and from which it is distributed as evenly as possible over the entire horizontal area of the tower by a plurality of spray nozzles 14. The manifold preferably extends lengthwise through the center of the upper portion of the tower, the spray nozzles It being arranged on each side of said manifold.

As the water falls through the interior of the tower, it is diffused and impeded by impinging against a plurality of slats arranged in the form of inclined grids, as shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6. Each grid consists of a series of spaced horizontal slats l5 supported and connected together by a pair of inclined strips IS. The outermost slats of the grid are extended endwise beyond the strips I6 so that their end portions I5 rest upon the horizontal stringers l2 of the tower frame. The slats H: are preferably triangular, as shown, with their widest faces uppermost, and are widely spaced along the strips I6. They are so positioned, however, that the forward edge of any one slat almost overlaps the rear edge of the next succeeding slat, so that the dripping water cannot fall any great distance without striking a slat. It will be seen that this arrangement of slats presents no resistance to the free horizontal movement of air through the tower from side to side, i. e. endwise of the slats, as shown in Fig. 2, and only very slight resistance to air movement from end to end, as seen in Fig. 6, or in a vertical direction.

In order to permit as much air as possible to pass through the tower horizontally, and at the same time to prevent this air from carrying any of the water out, the tower is surrounded by a grid formed principally of spaced vertical baffle strips, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. For convenience in assembling, this grid is made up in the mill in sections or panels, each of which is installed as a unit upon the frame of the tower. Inwardly sloping horizontal sills H are secured to the outer faces of the tower posts I I. Vertical spacers l8, extending between the sills H, are also secured to the outer faces of the posts II, and these spacers are preferably wider at the top than at the bottom, as shown in Fig. 4, thus forming supporting brackets for the sills H. The grid panel, which fills the rectangular space between adjacent sills and posts, and is secured therein by battens (1 upon the outer edges of said sills, is composed of aplurality of spaced vertical strips 19 and 20 held together by horizontal strips 2| and 2|. The strips 1 9 form an inner row of thin rectangular fins positioned edgewise, as shown in Fig. 3. The bafiie strips 20 are arranged in three or more staggered rows outside the fins I 9, the innermost row of baffles being positioned opposite the strips [9, as shown.

Each of the baffle strips 20 has the shape illustrated particularly in Fig. '7, the inner face being parallel with the side of the tower and provided with longitudinal grooves 22, the outer face being narrowed in to form a central fin 23, and the sides 24 being slightly concave, as shown. The forward edges 25, as well as the fin 23, are rounded. This shape of the bailies 20, with their curved surfaces and rounded corners, which corresponds to the blunt nose concave trailing surface form well known in aerodynamic practise, presents stream-line surfaces to the air leaving the tower, and also causes it to follow curved paths as illustrated by the broken arrows in Fig. 3, its changes in direction being effected smoothly with the least possible eddying or turbulence. The inner directing fins [9 cause the air to approach the baffles 20 in a direction perpendicular to the side of the tower, so that there is no direct free path through the open diagonal spaces between said baffles. As explained above, the change in direction of the air stream causes it to deposit its suspended moisture upon the inner grooved faces of the baflies 20, the grooves 22 catching the deposited water and conducting it downwardly, while at the same time the absence of eddy currents enables the air to pass through with a minimum amount of resistance. It is able also to be noted that the final or outer portion of the path through which the outgoing air passes has a rapidly expanding area. This produces to some extent a venturi efiect upon the air, causing it to increase its velocity in the tortuous constricted portion of its path, thereby increasing the natural flow of air through the tower, and also increasing the separating effect upon the suspended water.

The arrangement of the fins l9 and the. bafiies 2G is such as to minimize the possibility of direct splashing of water through the grid. The sills I! are inclined inwardly and downwardly to prevent outward splashing or flowing of any water which may fall upon them, and also the upper surface of the horizontal strip 2|, which lies between the fins and the bafiies 2B, is inwardly inclined for the same purpose.

I claim:

1. In an atmospheric cooling tower, the combination of means for delivering water to be cooled to the upper portion of the tower, a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced inclined grid members within the tower, each grid member including spaced horizontal slats with the slats of a said grid member disposed in staggered relation to the slats of a vertically adjacent grid member to impede and diffuse the water descending there through and to provide channels for the passage of air in vertical and horizontal directions through the tower, and a vertical grid member surrounding the tower, said vertical grid member including a plurality of vertically extending spaced bafile members arranged in staggered rows with the bafiies of one row being disposed in registry with the spaces between the bafiles of an immediately adjacent row, said bafiie members being of substantially triangular cross-section and each having outwardly directed converging sides of concave configuration, whereby to provide stream lined tortuous horizontal passages for increasing the velocity and reducing the pressure of outgoing atmospheric air between said baliies to the exterior of said tower. the air within the tower passing in unrestricted vertical and horizontal directions throughout the tower to contact and absorb heat from the descending diffused water, the staggered arrangement and uniform relative position of said triangular baffles separating suspended water from the air currents within the tower and preventing the descending diffused water from being carried transversely therefrom, the heated substantially moisture-free air being unrestricted in its upward passage between the said vertically and horizontally spaced inclined grid members and the respective slats thereof.

2. In an atmospheric cooling tower, the combination of means for delivering water to be cooled to the upper portion of the tower, a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced inclined grid members within the tower, each grid member including spaced horizontal slats, the slats of a said grid member being disposed in staggered relation to the slats of a vertically adjacent grid member, to impede and dilTuse the water descending therethrough and to provide channels for the passage of air in vertical and horizontal directions through the tower, and a vertical grid member surrounding the tower and including a plurality of inner space-d fin members and a plurality of outer spaced balile members spaced from said fin members, said bafile members being arranged in staggered rows with the baflies of one row being disposed in registry with the spaces between the baflles of an immediately adjacent row, each of said bafile members being of substantially triangular cross section and each having outwardly directed converging sides of concave con figuration, whereby to provide a tortuous streamlined horizontal passage for controlling the velocity and pressure of outgoing air from between said fin members past said bafiles to the exterior of said tower, the air within the tower being unrestricted in its passage in vertical and horizontal directions throughout the tower to contact and absorb heat from the descending diffused water, the staggered arrangement and uniform relative position of said triangular baffles separating suspended water from the air currents within the tower and preventing the descending diffused water from being carried transversely therefrom, said heated substantially moisture-free air being unrestricted in its upward passage between said vertically and horizontally spaced inclined grid members and the respective slats thereof.

3. In an atmospheric cooling tower, the combination or means for delivering water to be cooled to the upper portion of the tower, a plurality of vertically and horizontally spaced inclined grid members within the tower, each grid member including spaced horizontal slats, the slats of a said grid member being disposed in staggered relation to the slats of a vertically adjacent grid member, to impede and diffuse the water descending therethrough and to provide channels for the passage of air in vertical and horizontal directions through the tower, and a vertical grid member surrounding the tower and including a plurality of inner spaced fin members and a plurality of outer spaced bafiie members spaced from said fin members, said baffle members being arranged in staggered rows with the baffles of one row being disposed in registry with the spaces between the baffles of an immediately adjacent row, each of said bafiie members being of substantially triangular cross section and each having outwardly directed converging sides whereby to provide tortuous horizontal passages for controlling the velocity and pressure of outgoing air from between said fin members past said baffles to the exterior of said tower, the air within the tower being unrestricted in its passage in vertical and horizontal directions throughout the tower to contact and absorb heat from the descending diffused water, the staggered arrangement and uniform relative position of said triangular bafiles separating suspended water from the air currents within the tower and preventing the descending diffused water from being carried transversely therefrom, said heated substantially moisture-free air being unrestricted in its upward passage between said vertically and horizontally spaced inclined grid members and the respective slats thereof, the outermost wall of each triangular bafile member having means thereon for removing suspended water from air contacting therewith.

4. An air baffling grid unit for atmospheric water cooling towers, comprising in combination: a supporting frame, a plurality of inner horizontally spaced air directing fin members and a plurality of outer vertically extending bafiie members horizontally spaced from said fin members, said bafile members being arranged in staggered rows with the baffles of one row being disposed in registry with the spaces between the baffles of an immediately adjacent row, each baffle of the innermost row being disposed in horizontal registry with one of said fin members, each of said bafile members being of substantially triangular cross section and having outwardly directed converging sides of concave configuration, whereby to provide tortuous stream-lined horizontal passages between said baiile members for controlling the velocity and pressure of outgoing water laden atmospheric air from between said fin members past said baflies to the exterior of the tower, the staggered arrangement and uniform relative position of said triangular baffles separating suspended water from the air currents within the grid unit interiorly of the tower.

5. An air baiiling grid unit for atmospheric water cooling towers, comprising in combination: a supporting frame, a plurality of spaced vertically extending baffle members secured at opposite ends to said frame and arranged in staggered rows with the bailles of one row being disposed in registry with the spaces between the baffles of an immediately adjacent row, each of said bafile members being of substantially triangular cross section and having outwardly directed converging sides, whereby to provide tortuous passages between said bafiie members for controlling the velocity and pressure of outgoing atmospheric air between said baffles to the exterior of the tower, the staggered arrangement and uniform relative position of said triangular baffles separating suspended water from the air currents within the grid unit interiorly of the tower.

6. An air bafiling grid unit for atmospheric water cooling towers, comprising in combination: a supporting frame, a plurality of inner horizontally spaced air directing fin members and a plurality of outer vertically extending baffle members horizontally spaced from said fin members, said baflie members being arranged in staggered rows with the baffles of one row being disposed in registry with the spaces between the baflies of an immediately adjacent row, each of said baffle members being of substantially triangular cross section and having outwardly directed converging sides whereby to provide tortuous stream-lined horizontal passages between said baiiie members for controlling the velocity and pressure of outgoing water laden atmospheric air from between said fin members past said baffles to the exterior of the tower to cool water therein, the staggered arrangement and uniform relative position of said triangular bafiies separating suspended water from the air currents within the grid unit interiorly of the tower.

'7. An air baiiiing grid unit for atmospheric water cooling towers comprising in combination a supporting frame, a plurality of vertically extending horizontally spaced baffle members secured to said frame and arranged in staggered. rows with the baiiies of one row being disposed in registry with the spaces between the baflies of an immediately adjacent row, each of said baffie members being of substantially triangular cross section and having outwardly directed converging sides of concave configuration, whereby to provide tortuous stream-lined horizontal passages between said bafile members for controlling the velocity and pressure of outgoing atmospheric air between said baflles to the exterior of the tower, the staggered arrangement and uniform relative position of said triangular bafiles separating suspended water from the air currents within the grid unit interiorly of the tower, the innermost wall of each baffie member having means thereon for separating suspended water from the air contacting said baflie and for directing downwardly such separated water.

8. An air baiiling grid unit for atmospheric water cooling towers comprising in combination a supporting frame, a plurality of inner horizontally spaced air directing fin members and a plurality of outer vertically extending baflie members horizontally spaced from said fin members, said baffle members being arranged in staggered rows with the bai'lies of one row being disposed in registry with the spaces between the baiiles of an immediately adjacent row, each baille of the innermost row being disposed in horizontal registry with one of said fin members, each of said baffle members being of 10 said triangular bafiles separating suspended water from the air currents within the grid unit interiorly of the tower, the innermost wall of each baflie member being disposed perpendicularly to a said fin member and having a longitudinal groove thereon for separating suspended water from the air passing through said grid unit and directing such separated water downwardly on the interior of the tower.

JAMES P. BARRY. 

